Barchester Towers Study Guide & Plot Synopsis

Barchester Towers Plot Summary

Preview of Barchester Towers Summary:

Barchester Towers is the chronicle of personal and political maneuvering within the Church of England in the mid-nineteenth century. The story begins as one Bishop of Barchester dies and a new bishop is selected. This new Bishop, Dr. Proudie, is led by his wife, Mrs. Proudie, and his domestic chaplain, Mr. Slope. Mrs. Proudie and Mr. Slope are determined to shake up the church establishment in Barchester with a series of new policies and practices, including the formation of Sabbath, or Sunday schools. The established clergy of Barchester, led by Archdeacon Grantly, the son of the previous Bishop, are equally determined to keep things as they have always been.

Tangled up in this church power struggle is Hiram's Hospital, a charitable establishment for retired people. A new warden is to be appointed to run this hospital and both sides want to put one of their own followers in this position....
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